Mic Drop (Cape High Series Book 16)

by R. J. Ross

  "Agreed, now, let's contact your father and get the ball rolling," Pan says with a wide grin. He stops, though, as a huge plate of cookies is placed on the table. "After snack time, of course," he says to his wife and son. I don't even blink as a glass of milk is placed in front of me, but I do wonder if the world is trying to tell me something. Yes, I know I'm still a bit short and milk is supposed to help you grow. But they really don't have to rub it in.

  Oh well, I think as I grab my glass. It goes well with the cookies.

  ***

  "So, you've been in his mind twice," Massteria says as his daughter drapes herself over the couch, sighing loudly. He's gotten a bit bored, hiding away like he has. "Did you find out about his secret identity? A little leverage against him might be the perfect way to make him more... cooperative."

  She goes still, a confused look on her face. "What do you mean?" she asks.

  "You..." he looks at her, suddenly realizing that while she's powerful, she's got no training in her abilities. "Precious, may I?" he says, holding up a hand.

  "May you what?" she asks.

  He reaches out, touching her temple and diving into her mind. It takes a few moments sorting through her memories before he reaches where he wants to be. "Daddy, what are you--" she starts out.

  "Shhh, Precious. I'm concentrating here," he says. Going through her mind to look into Maximum's is a headache and a half, he thinks darkly as he finally gets what he wants. "No signs of a norm life or secret identity... Super, super--what's this?" he says, his eyes lighting up. "How fascinating!"

  "What are you talking about?" she asks. "I just used my abilities to trigger his fight or flight reactions. I didn't see anything in his--" she stops as he brings up the image. "How did you find that?" she asks in an awed voice.

  "I'm very good at what I do, Precious," he says, pulling his hand away. "That orange shirt, it looked like a uniform of sorts. Can you find out what it's from?"

  "Yes, of course," she says, flipping over so she's sitting properly and opening her computer. He looks at it with a slight frown.

  "Not with that, Precious," he says. "You need to find out the old-fashioned way."

  "What?"

  "Technico," he says. "Anything digital can be found out by a technopath. We don't want it linked to you."

  "Oh, right, um... I'll have someone look it up for me," she says, getting to her feet.

  "That's my darling daughter," he says, flipping the TV back on. She heads out and he forgets she's gone until twenty minutes later, when she storms in.

  "Found it," she says, "and better yet, I've found the girl wearing it."

  "Oh? And how did you do that?" he asks.

  "I've got connections," she brags. "I found a nerd in the lobby, he looked up all of the YMCA teams in Kansas City. We found a picture of her team, and everything. They've got a game on Saturday."

  "Then it looks like we're going to have to find a way out without being noticed," he says, flipping the television off a bit reluctantly and getting to his feet.

  "Oh, I can do that," she says. "It's my specialty, really. I just need to make a little visit to the makeup department."

  ***

  *Central Hall*

  Pan and I are standing in front of Dad's desk, waiting for him to finish looking over the plans I've drawn up.

  "So you wish to make it look as if I was kidnapped--" Dad says as he flips another page of the folder.

  "Not at first," I say. "We're going to say you've gone overseas to deal with something and that Ken is temporarily in charge. He's going to announce that we're celebrating Superior's birthday. We'll say everyone is invited to a free super convention right here, at the Hall. They'll come and be greeted by all the heroes, who will be acting strangely. Halfway through the convention, Ken will suddenly announce that we have a new Hall leader, the one and only son of Mastermental, Maximum," I explain.

  "And the other supers?" he asks, a tiny smile pulling at his lips.

  "I got to them, as well. I'll announce that since I'm the Hall leader, I'll be bringing in my own team--and all of the villains will step out. We'll even have a parade, which, ah, I sort of promised Skye and her teammates that they could be in."

  "Have you told Century?"

  "I thought I'd pass it by you, first," I say.

  "And how will we stop your dastardly plan?" he asks.

  "You'll escape," I say. "We might have one of the younger capes find you, or something. Carla's always good for that sort of thing. I couldn't brainwash her even if I tried," I admit. "You and the younger capes will help the brainwashed capes come back to their senses, there'll be a big brawl, and we'll have a father son talk on live TV, where you ask me to switch sides and I refuse."

  "And promptly escape," he finishes. "This definitely promises to make a good comic," he decides. "You'll have to discuss the particulars with the acting heroes, but as long as they're willing, I accept," he says. "Now, as for the Massteria subject..."

  "I'm doing what you want me to," I say quickly, bringing up my mental walls as subtly as I know how. It's not subtle enough. His eyes are going sharp and the right corner of his mouth twitches slightly. That means he knows I'm hiding something from him. He's going to press it, I know. I've never had any luck keeping things from Dad.

  "I see," he says, to my surprise. "And what of your mother?" he asks, going for a subject I want to discuss even less than the hunt for Massteria. I look at Pan.

  "Should I leave?" he asks. "Family affairs should be kept personal."

  "If you don't mind. Thank you for assisting my son, Panther," Dad says, "I truly appreciate it."

  "It's an honor," Pan says with a little nod before leaving the room.

  "I approve of your choice in mentors," Dad says.

  "So do I," I say with a little smile before sighing and dropping down in my chair. "Dad, I don't know how to handle this," I admit. "I should have never checked up on them in the first place. I don't want them to be in danger because they're related to me, but when I tried to explain that to them Chet threw a fit and Wendy smacked me for making her look bad in front of her kids," I say, just dumping it at his feet. I almost feel relieved to share it with someone, finally. Her children, I repeat silently, like I'm not one of them. Of course I'm not. She didn't raise me, she only gave birth to me.

  "Do you dislike the kids?" he asks.

  "No! I don't dislike them. I mean, Layne's got a bit of an attitude, but that's just her being defensive. Chet... he's smart, and so eager about everything. They're both good kids."

  "And your stepfather?" he asks.

  "He's a good man, as far as I can tell," I say. "I haven't spent as much time with him as I have the kids. I just... it's better for everyone if I cut ties with them. They won't be in danger if I'm not in their lives. Why can't they understand that?"

  "Logic and love aren't always going to line up, Max," he says gently. "I know you've tried your best to make them, and I'm sure it's easier to do when the only people you're around are supers, but..." he lets it trail off, as if expecting me to fill in the gaps.

  "This isn't love," I say. "Sure I grew fond of them, but don't go tossing some 'family love' line on this relationship. Just because there's a bit of blood in common doesn't mean there's anything else. I don't even feel right calling her 'mother,' much less 'mom.' She doesn't call me son, either, at least not willingly."

  "And if you grew to love your siblings?" he asks. That's Dad's M.O. right there. He spent all of my childhood asking me "what if" instead of lecturing me on how I should or shouldn't do something. It's probably the most irritating way of raising a kid, ever.

  "I..." I say, thinking it through. "I would make sure they were protected, I suppose. I'd have them keep the phones Nico gave them, so if they wanted to talk to me, no one would be able to track the call. I'd set up black suits in the neighborhood, as well as guarding the schools. It'd be stupidly expensive," I decide with a snort. "They'd also be watched for the rest of their lives. That's
no way to live." I stop when he doesn't say anything, realizing-- "But they already are, aren't they?"

  "Not quite to the level that you spoke of," he says, "but it's true that she is my ex-wife. I tend to keep an eye on her situation. She could be used as leverage if someone found out."

  "Do you still love her?" I ask him. "Or did you ever love her in the first place?"

  "I was very fond of her. For our type, love is difficult, if not impossible," he admits. "Knowing what your loved one is thinking at all times is one thing, but them knowing that you know is something else. While you might not be paying attention, they don't realize it. They are always questioning whether you're listening to what they're thinking, and if you're judging them. Soon paranoia sets in, and they start looking at you with accusing eyes, as if it's your fault that they can't keep their thoughts secret. What starts out as intimate becomes intrusive, and love or fondness often turns to hate on their side."

  "Zoe's different," I say. "At least, you know, she was when we were dating."

  "Zoe is a very unique case," he says. "She probably realizes that you'll only understand a small portion of what you see, regardless."

  "Not many others will have that, will they?" I say. I can easily see myself winding up like Dad, single, maybe with a kid, maybe not, and an ex that I have to guard for the rest of her life. "Why didn't you pick another cape?" I ask him. "Why didn't you find a woman that could deal with the mind reading?"

  "Because I fell into... fondness," he says, "perhaps even infatuation. I knew I was going to have a son, because your daughter told me. I ran into your mother and there was an instant attraction. The timing was right, as well. I assumed it was fate. She would be the mother of the next Hall leader."

  I stare at him. "On my behalf, I wasn't wrong," he adds when I say nothing, "she was the mother of the next Hall leader."

  "But it's still ridiculous," I say.

  "Working as a cape leads you to accept the ridiculous as normal on a regular basis," he says. "Plus, I am honestly still fond of her. I know it did not turn out how you would have wanted, or even I would, but I wouldn't change what happened for the world. Without her, I wouldn't have you."

  I look down, and then back at him. "I love you, too, Dad," I say.

  "The last thing I want is for you to hate your mother, Max," he says. "Try to see things from her eyes. You, of all people, must know how irritating it can be to have me as a family member."

  "But Dad," I say, "I'm a lot like you."

  "In some ways," he admits, "but Max, you are nothing if not your own person."

  I take a deep breath and let it out slowly, nodding reluctantly. "So in other words, I need to try and... forge a bond."

  "If you're rejected, you can come back and cry on my shoulder," he agrees. "The left one, please, I have work to do and I favor my right."

  "You're so very compassionate," I tease as I get to my feet. "Hey, Dad, what do I do if Zoe suddenly decides she's better off without me for real?" I ask him, turning serious.

  "Then you wish her well," he says, "and I'll let you use my right shoulder, if you need it."

  "Thanks, Dad. I might take you up on it," I say as I head out the door. I stop as I see Panther standing to the side of the room. "Thank you," I say as he joins me walking down the hall.

  "Your relationship with your father is very good, isn't it?" he asks.

  "Well, considering it's just the two of us," I say, "we've been through a lot together."

  "And you've been through even more alone, I think," he says quietly.

  "Dad has a very big job to do," I admit. "While he insists on keeping capes above D-class out of norm business, he still accepts invitations to mediate between countries. Some he can't help with, they've been warring too long to listen to a man in tights, but when it's a problem between two usually peaceful countries, he's the easiest way to solve things."

  "In other words, he's away from home a lot."

  "Yeah," I say, "he is."

  He drops a hand on my shoulder, not saying anything more.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  "So," Summer says as she watches her daughter pose in front of a mirror, "I never thought I'd see this day. Weren't you planning on staying out of the public eye?"

  "If Max is going to take on two psychics, he's not going to do it alone," Zoe declares. She turns, trying to look at her butt in the skin-tight uniform. "Mom, seriously, we need to start complaining about how supers are stuck in ridiculously exposing clothing."

  "I'm not," Summer says.

  "What?"

  "Oh, honey, I've never shown you my uniform?" she says. "I'll let you try it on sometime. It's very loose and comfortable. Your brother's uniform is a lot like it."

  "Then why am I wearing this?" Zoe demands as she waves a hand at the silver uniform covered in a black pattern mimicking circuits. It's the same pattern as her dad's.

  "Because you're obviously going to cover it with toys," Kim says as she walks into the room with several belts over her arms. "Here are a nice variety of our utility belts," she explains, laying them out on the table. "We've got several different styles, all of which will work with your basic uniform. We also have leg straps and shoulder straps. This way you never have to raid the nearby buildings. We've had several complaints about your father's hobby," she adds a bit dryly.

  "Ooooh," Zoe says, her eyes lighting up as she heads for the belt. "Can I have them all?" she asks.

  "Can you wear them all?" Kim asks.

  "Let's find out!"

  Summer sighs and shakes her head. Heaven help the poor woman that caught her daughter's attention, she thinks with a hint of amusement. "Have you thought of a name?" she asks her daughter.

  "Do you think I'll need one?" Zoe asks, already covered from her hips to her ribcage in belts. "I doubt this will take that long. I just need to expose her as a hidden cape and..."

  "Just being a hidden cape doesn't mean she's broken a law," Summer points out, "not if she hasn't used her powers in public. If you expose her, she has one week to be registered with the Hall, unless she's D-class. If she's D-class she doesn't even have to do that. Honey, you need to think this through a bit more."

  "She's out to steal my boyfriend, and she's probably aiding and abetting an escaped Cape Cells convict," Zoe proclaims. "I'm sure I'll find plenty of things!"

  "The aiding and abetting, yes, the boyfriend stealing, not so much," Kim says, undoing three of the belts. "These go," she says, throwing them onto the table. "We can do one leg strap and a shoulder strap, I think."

  "But that one carried more," Zoe says, pointing at the fallen belts.

  "Then trade it for one you're still wearing."

  "It's not even boyfriend stealing," Summer says. "She's just acting suspiciously so that the world thinks she's lying about not knowing him. Things like that happen all the time with our type. In fact there are several people on Facebook claiming that they're dating your father."

  "You're kidding, right?" Zoe asks, looking at her blankly. "Dating DAD?"

  "The world is full of crazy people," Summer says. "If I could tell them how much of a pain your father is, I would."

  Zoe rolls her eyes. "Trust me, I know exactly what you mean."

  "Are you going to tell Max what you're doing?" Summer asks. "You ARE planning on interfering with his work. I think he deserves to know."

  "I'm not interfering with his work--I'm going to try and get Phoebe Woods to out herself in public," Zoe says. "There's already a viral video of Max and me on the roof of Central Hall--"

  "Which you left up?" Summer asks, raising an eyebrow.

  "It's very difficult to get a viral video down," Zoe says, looking innocent.

  "Really," Summer says.

  "Okay, so a little part of me LIKED the world seeing it," Zoe mutters, looking defiant. "She doesn't even KNOW him!" She scowls, "Except this morning I found a video of them together--remind me to yell at him for that, okay? It made it look like he was jealous over her! You don't
think--"

  "I'm positive that it's a misunderstanding. You'll find out as soon as you talk with him. But honey, fighting over a man is a waste of time," Summer says.

  "That is absolutely true," Kim agrees. "But fighting FOR your man is a different matter. This Phoebe Woods is a super, right?"

  "She's Massteria's daughter," Zoe agrees.

  "And she's targeting Max? She's up to no good," Kim declares. "I don't blame you for stepping in."

  "Do you not trust Max?" Summer asks.

  "Well... I..." Zoe says, looking down at the belts as she tries to think. A rap on the door makes her look up.

  "Is everyone decent in there?" Max asks.

  "Max? What are you doing here?" Zoe asks, heading to the door and opening it. He doesn't speak for a moment as he looks over her uniform.

  "I have an appointment for my 'fake good guy' costume. What, exactly, are you wearing?" he asks, even as he gets out his phone and snaps a picture of her.

  "Nothing," she lies.

  "First you dump me, then you plan your debut without even telling me?" he asks. "I'm not sure which one hurts more, honestly. I would LOVE to be your villain--"

  "You just assume I'm going hero?" she demands. He stares at her in shock.

  "You're not?"

  "I'm not even going to get a name. I'm just going to take care of... something irritating," she says, crossing her arms over her chest.

  "Irritating?" he repeats, looking a bit confused before he stares hard at her. She quickly brings her latest invention to mind and he makes a face.

  "No reading my mind," she says.

  "Zoe," Summer says. "You should at least tell him in case it interferes with his work. This isn't a game, sweetie."

  "Okay, fine!" Zoe says. "I'm going to deal with Phoebe Woods. You clearly can't handle both of them, and no one else is stepping up to the plate to call her out on her powers, so I'm going to do it. Then you can take down Massteria, send your mother and her family home, and graduate! She was never in the original agreement in the first place. And I don't like you being filmed with her! What were you thinking?"